Popular Nollywood actor, Nkem Owoh, also known as Osuofia, on Friday urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to formulate policies that would make the Nigerian film industry to contribute to the nation’s economic development.
Osuofia told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the country’s movie industry was capable of contributing more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if given the necessary support than it was currently doing.
NAN reports that Nollywood, as the Nigerian film industry is christened, is said to be worth about three billion dollars annually, better than Hollywood by volume, and right behind India’s Bollywood.
The actor added that lack of adequate government attention, especially in the fight against piracy, had limited the industry’s contributory potential.
He said:
“I will want the three tiers of government to put their viewfinders toward Nollywood since they have recognised that Nollywood helps in the per capita income of the country.
“I feel that they are not paying enough attention to the movie industry.
“So, them give us policies that will make this industry stand and defend this country.”
Owoh, however, expressed the satisfaction that the industry was living up to its billing.
” I feel the movie industry is thriving and we are contributing our quota to the economic advancement of the country which makes me very, very happy.
“Since we are not relegated to the background, we will continue to strive harder in the development of the country in general.
“So I am happy to be a member of the Nollywood and see the improvement in Nollywood for now.”
Osuofia said that the industry had improved in the qualities of movies produced by its members with their foreign partners.
This, he attributed to what he called ‘Global Village’ phenomenon and access to the internet.
“When they say it (the world) is a global village; you expect people of common interests from the different countries of the world to come together.
“And with the help of internet, we have been moving together and the synergy has been very encouraging,” he said
